CPU Usage problem

Fannar · 21 Sep 2009

Hello...

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit, and it so happens that the CPU usage
spikes from 10% up to 80% down to 30% then to 50% and so on...

It happens quite often so I'm getting troubled, henche this being really annoying. It really doesn't matter what I'm doing if I'm watching a movie
or playing a game, if I'm watching a movie and this happens the movie
lags/freezes for sometime.

My Hardware is the following:

Processor: Intel Core Duo E4500
Motherboard: Gigabyte EP45T-UD3LR
RAM: Mushkin DDR3 2x2GB
Videocard: GeForce 9600GT

Note: I'm using 2 LCD screens if it helps.

So anyone got any recommendations ?

zigzag3143 · 21 Sep 2009

something is running in the background like indexing, windows media sharing service, sidebars, etc.

Can you open task manager (right click task bar) click on the process tab and watch what process is using cpu when the cpu spikes. Using the snipping tool (built in type snipping in search) take a screen shot of the task manager and upload it to us

thanks

ken

Fannar · 21 Sep 2009

Wasnt really a spike but i dont think system process thingy should be taking this much usage

Edit: Uhm if i go to a flash page in firefox the cpu usage goes up to 60-80%.

Victek · 21 Sep 2009

Fannar said:

Wasnt really a spike but i dont think system process thingy should be taking this much usage

Edit: Uhm if i go to a flash page in firefox the cpu usage goes up to 60-80%.

.
At the moment you snapped this screen the System Idle Process was very high and that's good - it means the processor has a minimal load. Also, looking at the size of the scrollbar on the task manager you have quite a few processes running. I recommend using a program that manages auto-start entries to see if you have unnecessary programs loading.

You may need to use a better process monitor, such as Process Hacker or the Sysinternals Process Monitor, to be able to see exactly what causes the spikes (just Google for these). The standard task manager doesn't show many processes.

Fannar · 21 Sep 2009

Well from what i can read using process hack it's different programs sometimes MSN, sometime VLC and sometime even uTorrent..

zigzag3143 · 21 Sep 2009

Fanner

In either snips the only thing using much memor is firefox. It is know to use lots more than what it is on yours. Mine is using 148 meg with just 3 tabs open. My gadget use tha much.

Plus you running 64bit which uses more resources. I dont see a problem. If you can tell us why it is a problem?

ken

Fannar · 21 Sep 2009

I see i just assumed it was a problem cause it was spikeing so much..

zigzag3143 · 21 Sep 2009

Fannar said:

I see i just assumed it was a problem cause it was spikeing so much..

Could be alot of things maybe you anti virus was running a scan, even mouse movement can make cpu jump. If you want I can walk you thru some other things just for your info. I rally didnt see anything to be concerned. If it works, doesn't hang, or crash, then you are golden.

One thing you can check for you own peace of mind. go into event viewer (event viewer in seach) go to windows log>application tab and just look to see if there are any errors (they have red x in left column). Most errors are not important but cant hurt to look

Hope this helps

Ken

whs · 21 Sep 2009

In the snip you posted there is nothing unusual. But as was said, you should use Process Explorer (click on CPU above - that will show the high CPU users on top).
One of the causes could also be that the system is collecting error data.

Tews · 21 Sep 2009

New technology requires more resources ... Modern computers are equipped with more powerful CPU's and more RAM ... dont be overly concerned when they are used..